Signal device for electric alarm clocks

ABSTRACT

An electric clock having an electromagnetically operated movement regulator produces pulses therefrom to actuate a signal device such as a bell or buzzer continuously without loading of the clock regulator device. Thus electric pulses are provided at a specified time by the clockwork to excite an amplifier which after a predetermined time charges a condenser enough to maintain an amplifier in continuous excitation to operate the bell until a hand operated switch interrupts the circuit.

United States Patent Hans Flaig Schramberg-Sulgen. Vl'urttemberg; Friedrich Assmus, Schramberg, 'urttemberg. both oi. ;erman v [72] Inventors [21] Appl. No. 752,889 [22] Filed Aug. 15, 1968 [45] Patented June 29, 1971 [73] Assignee Messers. Gebruder Junghans Gesellschait Mit Beschraenkten Haitung Geisshaldenstrasse, Schramberg,

Wurttemberg, Germany [32] Priority Aug. 21, 1967 [33] Germany [31] P 16 73 757.8

[54] SIGNAL DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC ALARM CLOCKS 7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 58/38, 58/19 [51 Int. Cl G040 9/00 [50] Field ofSearch 58/19,19 C, 38, 33,152,152 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,341,841 9/1967 Stamfli 58/38 Primary ExaminerRichard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Edith C. Simmons Attorney-Laurence R. Brown ABSTRACT: An electric clock having an electromagnetically operated movement regulator produces pulses therefrom to actuate a signal device such as a bell 0r buzzer continuously without loading of the clock regulator device. Thus electric pulses are provided at a specified time by the clockwork to excite an amplifier which after a predetermined timecharges a condenser enough to maintain an amplifier in continuous excitation tooperate the bell until a hand operated switch interrupts the circuit.

TlMEPlECE OPERATED SWlTCH ELECTRIC ALARM CLOCK WITH DRIVING REGULATOR PATENTEU JUN29|971 Fig.1

I a- 20 FDM "F [9 l5 T2 I I2 I3 w L5 ELECTRIC ALARM CLOCK WITH 3w c DRIVING REGULATOR Fig.2

[NI EN 'I'ORS F/ lg This invention relates to signal apparatus for electric alarm clocks, especially battery operated, wherein an electronic amplifier operates a signal device and a time-delay circuit is operated from the timepiece in order to actuate the signal sound.

Signal apparatus with electromagnetic drive in an alarm clock with a transistor circuit for operating a self regulating movement is known in the prior art as exemplified by German Pat. No. 1,386,05l. Therein a movable permanent magnet system is provided in the movement regulator, which is influenced by a stationary regulating transformer, and which includes an excitation winding in the input circuit of the transistor amplifier and a driven winding in the output circuit of the transistor. The coils of this system are tightly mutually inductively coupled and are provided with an input coupling condenser suppressing high frequency self-oscillation. The alarm by way of a clockwork-operated contact provides a signal from the driving coil while the coupling condenser is uncoupled.

The prior art alarm signal is generally derived from the high frequency self-oscillation so that during the signal period a satisfactory driving of the movement regulator cannot be furnished.

It is an object of this invention to produce a signal device such as in the foregoing art which makes possible a main signal period and a presignal period in a simple manner without disturbing the driving of the movement regulator.

In attaining the objectives of the invention, an impulse source is provided for driving of the amplifier actuating the signal apparatus in which amplifier is coupled a time-delay device to produce after a predetermined time a constant energizing voltage at the input of the amplifier operating the signal device. An impulse source coupled to the input of the amplifier driving the signal device comprises the driving element such as the drive coil of an alarm clock with a self-driven electrically actuated movement regulator. The delay device may comprise a condenser in an input circuit of an electrical switching circuit such as a transistor whose output circuit in turn is connected to the input circuit of an amplifier charging the condenser. In this way the time constant of the condenser can be influenced by a parallel resistance connected thereto. Preferably the condenser is connected to be charged by the amplifier through a diode in the output circuit.

A hand operated switch is provided for interrupting the signal apparatus that may either be placed in the powerline to inactivate the circuit, or in the input circuit of the amplifier as a short circuit.

The invention is explained in more detail ments shown in the drawing, wherein:

FIG. I is a first circuit diagram with two complementary transistors, and

F IG. 2 is a modified circuit diagram using two transistors of the same conductive type.

In FIG. 1, input terminals 10, 11 are shown connected to a circuit configuration embodying the invention, which is connected to an impulse waveform source. In the case of a clock with an electromagnetically actuated movement regulator 8 for example the terminals 10 and 11 can be connected to the driving coil through a clockwork alarm switch 9. The impulse appearing between terminals 10 and I1 is taken from the base of transistor T, through resistance 13. During each impulse the transistor T conducts so that current may flow through the signal device 14, which for example may be a bell or buzzer.

Condenser has one side connected to signal device 14 directly and the other side through diode l5 and resistor 16. For each excitation of the signal device 14 the condenser 20 attains a known charge.

The condenser 20 is in the input circuit of a second from the embodi- With each impulse at input terminals 30,

transistor T After a known potential is reached at condenser 20, transistor T, conducts so that an output current flows in resistor 18. The potential at the collector of transistor T is applied to the base of the first transistor T, by a resistor 17. In this way the first transistor T, may be caused to conduct, so that the signal device 14 produces a sustained sound.

The illustrated switch 12 connects input terminal 10 to the base of transistor T, and serves to short circuit the input circuit of transistor T, in order to interrupt the signal period. This switch 12 is so positioned on the alarm clock that it is readily accessible for manual operation.

In the circuit of FIG. 2, the illustrated input terminals 30 and 31 are connected to the impulse source, being for example the driving coil of an electromagnetic driving device for the movement regulator of a timepiece. The terminal 30 is connected through resistor 33 to the base of transistor T,,, which has signal device 34 connected in its output circuit. 31, the transistor T conducts and actuates the signal device 34.

Upon each such actuation of signal device 34, the voltage occurring on condenser 40 through diode 35 and resistor 36 is developed in the input circuit of a second transistor T, it conducts, and a current flows through the emitter collector path and resistor 38. The voltage at the emitter is connected by way of resistor 37 to the base of transistor T to cause it to continue conducting, so that the signal device constantly is energized and produces a continuing sound.

In order to influence the time constant, the condensers 20 or 40 can be connected with resistors, which may be adjustable. In this respect the parallel resistors 19 and 39 are supplied to discharge the condensers.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2 the interruption of the signal period can occur through opening switch 32, which-can easily be done manually. The supply voltage is removed by switch 32. Switches 12 and 32 can be conventional electrical contacts which are operable by hand and which after operation themselves return to their rest position. Also it is possible to employ time switches as contacts 12 and 32 which at a known time remain open and after expiration of a time period close themselves again.

What we claim is:

l. A signal device for electric alarm clocks, particularly battery operated, comprising in combination an electric amplifier which produces a signal device driving pulse, a timepieceoperated switch for initiating the signal, a signal device operated by said amplifier, a source of signal pulses for controlling the signal device coupled to said amplifier, and a timedelay circuit coupled in said amplifier to maintain a constant driving voltage on the input to said amplifier after a predetermined period of excitation by said signal pulses.

2. A signal device as defined in claim 1, wherein the signal pulse source comprises an electric alarm clock having a selfcontrolled electric driving regulator producing said signal pulses.

3. A signal device as defined in claim 1 wherein the timedelay circuit and said amplifier comprises a twotransistor amplifier circuit, with an output circuit from one transistor including a condenser connected to the input circuit of the other transistor and the output circuit of said other transistor connected to the input circuit of said one transistor.

4. A signal device according to claim 3, wherein the condenser has a resistor connected in parallel therewith.

5. A signal device according to claim 3, wherein the condenser is coupled to the output circuit of said one transistor by a diode.

6. A signal device according to claim 1 having a handoperated switch connected to interrupt the operation of said signal device.

7. A signal device according to claim 1 having a handoperated switch connected to short circuit the input circuit of said amplifier. 

1. A signal device for electric alarm clocks, particularly battery operated, comprising in combination an electric amplifier which produces a signal device driving pulse, a timepieceoperated switch for initiating the signal, a signal device operated by said amplifier, a source of signal pulses for controlling the signal device coupled to said amplifier, and a time-delay circuit coupled in said amplifier to maintain a constant driving voltage on the input to said amplifier after a predetermined period of excitation by said signal pulses.
 2. A signal device as defined in claim 1, wherein the signal pulse source comprises an electric alarm clock havinG a self-controlled electric driving regulator producing said signal pulses.
 3. A signal device as defined in claim 1 wherein the time-delay circuit and said amplifier comprises a two-transistor amplifier circuit, with an output circuit from one transistor including a condenser connected to the input circuit of the other transistor and the output circuit of said other transistor connected to the input circuit of said one transistor.
 4. A signal device according to claim 3, wherein the condenser has a resistor connected in parallel therewith.
 5. A signal device according to claim 3, wherein the condenser is coupled to the output circuit of said one transistor by a diode.
 6. A signal device according to claim 1 having a hand-operated switch connected to interrupt the operation of said signal device.
 7. A signal device according to claim 1 having a hand-operated switch connected to short circuit the input circuit of said amplifier. 